Multi-platinum alternative metal outfit Avenged Sevenfold has officially announced that they are operating as a completely independent band after 26 years in the music industry. The milestone comes alongside the news that the group has successfully purchased back the master recordings and rights to their 2016 seventh studio album, The Stage, as well as their 2017 live release, Live At The Grammy Museum, from Capitol Records.
The band’s transition to full autonomy concludes a multi-album narrative that originally began with a highly publicized legal dispute. The initial launch of The Stage was central to a breach-of-contract lawsuit between Avenged Sevenfold and their long-time label, Warner Bros. Records. While the legal battle never reached a courtroom trial, the two parties ultimately settled out of court, allowing the musicians to forge a new path that included a brief relationship with Capitol Records. The band subsequently completed their remaining major label obligations with Warner via the release of their June 2023 studio album, Life Is But A Dream….
In a comprehensive statement issued to fans via social media, the band detailed the acquisition of their catalog and warned listeners that they may need to update their digital music libraries due to the backend transition on streaming platforms.
“We are excited to announce that we have purchased back the master recordings and rights to The Stage, The Stage (Deluxe Edition) and Live At The Grammy Museum from Capitol Records. We want to bring this to your attention because you may need to re-add to your playlists if it doesn’t appear on your streaming services. Also, our Deluxe Edition now includes our Live From Capitol Records Rooftop 4-song performance.”
“After 26 years, Avenged Sevenfold is now a fully independent band. The Stage is now a part of that independence. It’s an album that tackled AI, political and social critique, simulation theory and existentialism in 2016. All things that seem to be even more significant this day and age.”
“We are aware the 10 year anniversary is coming up and are looking forward to that. For now, we are going to turn on double streaming points for Deathbat Rewards users throughout the week. If you haven’t signed up yet, please do so at the link in our bio.
“You do know this is a simulation…. don’t you?”
The newly independent version of The Stage (Deluxe Edition) has already been updated to offer immediate value to listeners, expanding its tracking to include the band’s rare, four-song live set, Live From Capitol Records Rooftop.
By integrating these specific live recordings and reclaiming their intellectual property, the band has consolidated a pivotal era of their career under their own umbrella. To celebrate the bureaucratic victory with their core community, Avenged Sevenfold has activated a double-points streaming window for members enrolled in their proprietary Deathbat Rewards loyalty program, keeping fan engagement directly tied to their independent platform as they look forward to the ten-year anniversary of the record.
